Blake Koch and the Daystar #21 Chevrolet in action at Irwindale during the Toyota Showdown.
Photo by Pat Brandon.

Five car crash ends forward press for Koch and GGRT at Irwindale
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
IRWINDALE, CA – After a successful qualifying run that secured his first career starting position in the prestigious NASCAR Toyota All Star Showdown, Blake Koch became a victim of circumstances during the K&N Pro Series premier event at Irwindale Speedway Saturday night. Koch was unable to avoid a multi-car collision that broke out in front of the Daystar Network #21 Chevrolet and ended the night 81 laps prematurely for the Golden Gate –Richard Childress Racing Development Team.

“It was just an unfortunate situation, I have already committed to the high line before I knew about the wreck breaking out ahead,” said Koch. “I couldn’t have turned down to avoid it without taking others with me.”

Koch started 21st in Saturday’s event that is known as the “Daytona 500 of Short Track Racing” at the Southern California half mile speedway. During the first 100 lap segment of the race the sophomore NASCAR driver worked up as high as the 15th position in the first event with the team’s title sponsorship of the Daystar Network.

The Toyota Showdown uses a unique format in which drivers race for 100 laps until the field is frozen and a 10 minute break takes place for teams to make adjustments and change tires. After an additional break with 200 laps down a final 25-lap segment produces an action packed shootout to the finish line. Unfortunately, The Golden Gate Racing Team spent those final laps surveying the damage endured by the unavoidable crash on lap 144.

Racing in the 20th position, Koch was approaching the second turn of the speedway and positioned his car on the outside line in an effort to gain track position and drive clear of lapped traffic. Several yards ahead, veteran driver Jim Inglebright spun up near the turn two wall and collected Josh Combs, Derek Ramstom, Brett Thompson and Koch. All of those involved with the exception of Inglebright were damaged beyond repair to return to the race.

“I really want to thank the entire Golden Gate Racing Team for all their hard work, “ added Koch. “We had a really good car, especially on the longer runs. We just never got the track position we needed.”

Koch ended the weekend in the 35th position Saturday night. He and the always diligent GGRT crew watched from the sidelines as NASCAR Cup driver Joey Logano went on to win a lengthy accident plagued event over newcomer Sergio Pena.

"We had a fast car for this race," said team owner Jim Offenbach. "The accident was a disappointing way to end our strong run. I want to thank our sponsors and guarantee them that we are going to be running up front in 2010. I also want to that the entire GGRT crew. They worked hard to prepare for the showdown, I love these guys."

In preliminary competition at Irwindale, Koch drove to the 21st qualifying spot out of the 45 cars that attempted to qualify on Friday night. Koch was the 10th car to take the Irwindale half mile on Friday night and turned a lap time of 18:753, which secured the 21st qualifying position.

"Everything was going well," said Steve Portenga, Crew Chief for Golden Gate Racing. "We were the 8th fastest car in practice and drove through the field extremely well. At one point we even restarted 31st and climbed back up to 18th. We were doing our own thing, looking for those last 25 laps to give it our best. It was a good race with a disappointing end that was unavoidable."

With the All Star Showdown behind them, the Golden Gate Racing Team will now focus their sights on the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series Championship. The tour begins its 57th consecutive season on March 27th at All American Speedway in Roseville.

"The fortunate thing about the shootout, it wasn't our best car that got destroyed and it wasn't a points race," added Portenga. "Blake has come a long way since last season, especially in his feedback to the crew. We're looking forward to the regular season now."

The Golden Gate Racing Team has a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. The Daystar Television Network is the team's primary sponsor. Associate sponsors include; I Am Second, Tire Kingdom, San Francisco's Golden Gate Meat Company, Superior Lamb Company, Golden Gate Petroleum, Hill Meat Company, Foodcomm International and Signco.

For an in depth look at the Golden Gate Racing Team and additional news visit their website at www.goldengateracingteam.com Blake Koch's personal web site can be found at www.blakekoch.com . To learn more about the team's primary sponsor visit www.daystar.com.

Koch locks a starting spot in Saturday's Toyota All Star Showdown

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO - Blake Koch and the Golden Gate - Richard Childress Racing Development Team have started off the 2010 NASCAR, K&N Pro Series season in positive fashion as they have officially made the line up for Saturday's Toyota Showdown in Irwindale, California.

Friday night 21 was the lucky number for the entire Golden Gate Racing Team and owner Jim Offenbach. Koch debuted the brand new Daystar Network #21 Chevrolet and drove it to the 21st qualifying spot out of the 45 cars entered in the Toyota All Star Showdown.  - READ MORE

Tire Kingdom joins Blake Koch and Golden Gate Racing Team

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO - Blake Koch and the Golden Gate - Richard Childress Racing Development Team are proud to welcome Tire Kingdom as their newest marketing partner. Tire Kingdom will support the Daystar Network #21 Chevrolet in the upcoming NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West as the team's newest associate sponsor. Additionally, the well known automotive service chain will partner with Koch in his popular faith based outreach efforts throughout the year. - READ MORE...

Koch and Golden Gate Racing Team ready to put the Daystar Chevrolet to the front for NASCAR Showdown and West Series

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO - Jan. 13, 2010
The Golden Gate - Richard Childress Racing Development Team and sophomore NASCAR driver Blake Koch are geared up and ready for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World West season to begin. With the Daystar Television Network as the team's new primary sponsor and a brand new look, racing to the front of the field is high on the priority list for the longtime successful team based in San Francisco, California. .... READ MORE

Golden Gate Racing Team signs Daystar Television Network as 2010 primary sponsor for NASCAR Camping World West Series

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO - The Golden Gate - Richard Childress Racing Development Team is proud to announce the signing of the Daystar Television Network as their new primary sponsor for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World West Series. With the new partnership comes a brand new color scheme for the GGRT/RCR #21 Chevrolet that will be driven by Blake Koch of West Palm Beach, Florida for the second consecutive season. - READ MORE

K&N TO BE TITLE SPONSOR FOR NASCAR’S TOP DEVELOPMENTAL SERIES

(Jan. 21, 2010) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that K&N Engineering, Inc., will be the title sponsor for NASCAR’s top developmental series, formerly known as the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West, beginning in 2010.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series will continue to crown champions through separate schedules on the East and West Coast. The seven-year agreement illustrates NASCAR’s commitment to the grassroots foundation of the sport.  - READ MORE

2010 NASCAR K&N Schedule Released - Click Here !READ MORE...

The 2009 Music Video -
HERE'S COMES 21
by Kenny Simeone
A Richard Childress Driver Development Team